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< PreviousNext >Play VideoVideo 1 of 1All Video Local wrestlers have major impact at the University of OklahomaLocal wrestlers have major impact at the University of Oklahoma
NORMAN, OK--More than 5500 high school wrestlers took down an opponent, or were taken down themselves, this season across Kansas. Few of those will advance to the college ranks and very, very few will stay at home to do it.
Newman and Fort Hays State are the only four-year schools in Kansas that offer varsity wrestling, along with four community colleges: Pratt, Colby, Neosho and Labette County.
So the best of the best in Kansas are forced to find opportunities at other NCAA Division I schools.
Seven have landed at the University of Oklahoma, including Goddard former four-time state champion Tyler Caldwell who says it offers a rich history with “a big crowd, big fans.”
Caldwell has become a poster boy for Sooner wrestling. As a freshman last year, he placed fifth in the NCAA tournament, which gave him All-American status.
This season, he is 27-4 and ranked second nationally in the 165 pound weight class.
“This year I'm not a freshman any more,” he said. “I kind of have the mental toughness, (the) mental edge that I need this year to win the title.”
Coach Jack Spates says Caldwell’s competitiveness has allowed him to quickly transition into college wrestling.
“It's not really that he's a great wrestler in terms of technical skills, but he hates to lose and refuses to do it.”
Caldwell also feels at home, as one of five Wichita-area wrestlers on the Sooners’ squad.
Two are from Bishop Carroll High School, Jordan Keller and Ty Detmer, and two others are from Heights, Chase Nelson and Kendric Maple.
“I love it here, it's a family,” says Nelson.
The “family” is close-knit by design. Scholarships are hard to come by. Only 95 Division I schools have varsity wrestling, including OU, Oklahoma State, Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa State in the Big 12.
Fewer opportunities mean the level of wrestling is ultra-competitive.
Maple led the Sooners last year with 33 wins and qualified for the NCAA tournament. This season, he couldn’t make the first team and is a redshirt.
“It's basically fueling the fire this year...just to come out next year and be a national champ.”
Along with Caldwell, Keller and Nelson wrestle on the first team. Spates calls his school “Kansas South.”
All say they are glad to be at Oklahoma, but wish they had the option of staying in Kansas.
“Being in Kansas with the right coaching staff and team, I'd definitely consider,” said Caldwell.
Instead, “Kansas South” will grow by one more next season, as Daniel Deshazer will join his former Heights teammates.
Spates understands their sentiment and would like to see wrestling grow.
“We have profited greatly from their lack of having a collegiate wrestling program and yet, at the same time, we would really encourage Kansas to add a Division I wrestling program.”
“I think it's what's right and what's fair considering they have such great high school wrestling.”
